Coalition Urges Numbers-Based USF Collection System
A collection system for the Universal Service Fund (USF) based on telephone numbers gained the support of a new telecom alliance called the USF by the Numbers Coalition. The coalition - made up of groups such as NCTA, CTIA and USTelecom and its members AT&T and BellSouth -- held a news conference call Tues. to “set the story straight” on misconceptions about the plan, it said.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Export Compliance Daily combines U.S. export control news, foreign border import regulation and policy developments into a single daily information service that reliably informs its trade professional readers about important current issues affecting their operations.
The group said supports the “numbers based” contribution system that promotes a shift to flat fee charges based on working telephone numbers. The numbers plan, which FCC Chmn. Martin has endorsed, would replace the current revenue-based system.
“The numbers-based plan is the most realistic alternative to preserve USF funding for the foreseeable future,” said coalition coordinator John Windhausen: “I think policy-makers are increasingly aware that the current revenues-based system is unworkable because the marketplace is changing, and because the current system harms consumers.” “Some consumers would pay more, but many would pay less under the new collection system,” Windhausen said. The organization proposes to give Lifeline customers USF exemptions.
The effort faces opposition from the Keep USF Fair Coalition, which calls numbers-based financing regressive. “The Martin plan for the Universal Service Fund is bad news for consumers because it would significantly worsen the inequities in terms of who foots the bill for USF and who reaps the benefits of the fund,” said Maureen Thompson, exec. dir. of the Keep USF Fair Coalition. Keep USF Fair is a broad collection of organizations that claim to speak for seniors, minorities, and those with disabilities.
The allegations are misguided and incorrect, countered Windhausen. He challenged the accuracy of the data that Keep USF Fair used in its criticism. He also said the numbers system is revenue neutral, meaning it raises the same amount of money as the current system.